Pitch Interval Calculator

Understanding pitch intervals is fundamental to music theory and composition. This calculator helps you determine the distance between two musical notes in semitones and fractions of an octave.

What is a Pitch Interval?

A pitch interval is the distance between two musical notes, measured in semitones. In Western music, there are 12 semitones in an octave, with each semitone representing the smallest distinguishable difference in pitch.

Intervals can be classified as perfect (equal to the interval in a perfect fifth), major (larger than perfect), minor (smaller than perfect), or augmented/diminished (altered by a semitone).

How to Calculate Pitch Intervals

The basic formula for calculating the interval between two notes is:

Interval (semitones) = |Note 2 - Note 1| mod 12

Where Note 1 and Note 2 are the positions of the notes on the chromatic scale (C=0, C#=1, D=2, etc.).

For example, the interval between C (0) and G (7) is 7 semitones. The interval between C (0) and C# (1) is 1 semitone.

Common Musical Intervals

Here are some common intervals and their semitone values:

Interval	Semitones	Fraction of Octave
Minor 2nd	1	1/12
Major 2nd	2	1/6
Minor 3rd	3	1/4
Major 3rd	4	1/3
Perfect 4th	5	5/12
Perfect 5th	7	7/12
Octave	12	1

Practical Applications

Understanding pitch intervals is essential for:

Music composition and arrangement
Harmony and chord construction
Melody writing and voice leading
Transposition of musical pieces
Understanding musical scales and modes

Musicians use interval calculations to create harmonious progressions, build chords, and develop melodic lines.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the smallest pitch interval?: The smallest pitch interval is a semitone, which is the smallest distinguishable difference in pitch between two adjacent notes.
How many semitones are in an octave?: There are 12 semitones in an octave in Western music.
What is the difference between a major and minor interval?: A major interval is larger than a perfect interval, while a minor interval is smaller. For example, a major 3rd is 4 semitones, while a minor 3rd is 3 semitones.
How do I calculate the interval between two notes?: Subtract the position of the lower note from the position of the higher note on the chromatic scale (C=0, C#=1, D=2, etc.) and take the result modulo 12.
What is the largest interval in Western music?: The largest interval in Western music is the octave, which spans 12 semitones.